January 7, 2025 - Visit to the Old City to See the Christmas Lights

 Juan Carlos picked me up at 6 and instead of heading immediately to the Old City, we went the opposite direction to Castillogrande.  I'd seen an ad for a long term rental and wanted to see the neighborhood.  I was impressed.

I was also impressed with the amount of traffic in Bocagrande, all headed toward the Old City.  We joined the stop and go traffic and I was glad it was Juan Carlos driving and not me.  Driving here requires nerves of steel.  Or, a tank.  One of the "cons" of moving here are the narrow streets and lack of parking.  I can't imagine driving here.

Luckily, it is only a couple of miles from Bocagrande to the Old City but the traffic got even heavier once we drove through "the wall" to get into the city.

The streets were full of people, motorcycles and cars.  JC's plan was to drop me off near a main plaza, park and then return to find me on foot.  Given the crowds, I was concerned I'd never see him again, so suggested we park and walk together.  But the parking lot was full.  We drove on but I'd had it.  It felt way more like NYE in Time's Square than the Cartagena I remember from a couple of decades ago. 

We turned around to leave (that alone was a feat!) and got stuck in more traffic because a car had just hit a  motorcycle.  JC suggested we try again next week.  There should be fewer tourists and the Christmas lights will still be up.  I was a bit disappointed but it was still fun to go for a drive and chat with JC.

Here are the photos I got from the car.

The lights in front of my building.  I'm not sure why butterflies for Christmas but they're pretty.

The wall of lights behind the tree in the lobby is cool.

The lobby is large, clean and no one is allowed in unless they live there.  I appreciate the security.

Not a great shot through the windshield but you get an idea of how quiet the neighborhood where the possible apartment is.  At the very end of Castillogrande, just before the private Club Naval which is apparently like a country club for Naval officers.

The building is new.

Not a great photo but each condo has a huge balcony with great views.

The view from the malecon next to the building.

And, the traffic began.  The Rappi delivery drivers deserve tips.  The traffic is nuts.

There are some spectacular lights between Bocagrande and the Old City.  

I can parallel park.  But here there are literally a few inches between the parked cars in the narrow streets.

Blurry, but cool lights over one of the narrow streets.  

The streets are alive with people, music and lights.

Note the people using this street as a sidewalk.  It is not a pedestrian street.  Have I mentioned driving is a challenge?  One day, a woman who appeared to be an American from a cruise ship (based on the tour sticker she was wearing), was standing in the street, chatting away to her friends while we tried to drive past.  She never noticed the car inches from her back.

Many of the streets have lights over the streets.

The parking lot and street parking seemed to be full.

I was not at all surprised that an accident happened while we were there.  The drivers do an amazing dance with the pedestrians.

One of the many church domes.

All these motorcycles parked on the edge of the Old City belong to the workers who drive in every day.

Note there are three lanes on this narrow road?  And which direction they're going?  I thought traffic was something in Mandalay, Myanmar.  Cartagena ranks right up there.

I'd enjoy staying in the Old City for a couple of days.  It is great for wandering around on foot.  But I was so glad to get home to my tranquil balcony.